Originally Posted by
slcbob
Without taking a stance in here on what is "right", as this is a very personal decision, I will note that there are some real presumptions going on here that I just can't support.
1) that there's always a detour available down Leave It To Beaver Lane
2) that the whole point of any defense is to defend the bike, rather than your own skull / life
Where exactly do you see those presumptions? With regard to 1), I see a number of people suggesting that there are likely alternatives to choosing to ride through an area that makes you feel so threatened that you're considering carrying a weapon. That doesn't equate to "a detour...down Leave It To Beaver Lane".
With regard to 2), I don't see that at all.
Originally Posted by
slcbob
So make your own mind up based on your own situation, which includes a variety of personal risk management decisions and ethics. Just don't get all holier than thou on someone else, until you get their whole picture.
...and I'm really not seeing anyone "get[ting] all holier than thou". Sweep up the straw from your strawmen, please, there's enough of it in this forum as is.